Replies

1. 
   MBerger | Jun 17, 2006 12:08am | #1

   This is a challenging task, and your solution is really going to be so specific to your project that it's hard to offer a suggestion.

   Cutting the tenon is probably not going to be much different than any other tenon operation. Depending on how the back splat is shaped, you might want to prepare the tenons on the rough workpiece and then shape the piece after the joinery is complete.

   Cutting the mortise is more tricky because you need to devise a system that will put the mortise exactly where you want it in the chair rails, at the correct angle, and of the correct size. My first choice would be to set up a router to do this by building a plywood jig that somehow straddles the workpiece, or by making a jig for a router table. Alternatively, you could break out the chisels and mallet and cut the mortises by hand.

   Here are a few articles on chairmaking that might give you some ideas: Chairmaking Simplified by Garrett Hack; Production Chairmaking by Terry Moore.

   Here's an article on compound joinery by Will Neptune that is very relevant in chairmaking.

   Write back with more specific questions and I'll see what else we can find.

   Best Regards,
   Matt Berger
   Fine Woodwokring